Lois Larson
Baltimore, Maryland is served by Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), which is located in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, approximately 9 miles south of downtown Baltimore. BWI is one of three major airports that serve the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area, alongside Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). BWI offers more than 700 daily domestic and international flights to over 75 destinations and is known for its convenient parking, modern terminal, and easy come, easy go reputation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport |
| Acronyms | BWI, KBWI, BWI/KBWI |
| Location | Anne Arundel County, Maryland |
| Distance from Baltimore | 8.3-9 miles |
| Distance from Washington, D.C. | 30 miles |
| Number of daily flights | 700+ |
| Number of cities served nonstop | 75+ |
| Number of passenger enplanements (2023) | 12,849,636 |
| U.S. ranking in passenger enplanements (2023) | #23 |
| Operating bases | One of 12 for Southwest Airlines |
| Transport to Baltimore | Tram (26 minutes) |
| Transport to Washington, D.C. | Amtrak and MARC trains |
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What You'll Learn
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport
The airport offers both domestic and international flights, with more than 700 daily flights serving over 75 cities nonstop. In 2023, BWI recorded 12,849,636 passenger enplanements, making it the busiest airport in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area. The airport is easily accessible from downtown Baltimore by tram, which takes approximately 26 minutes.
The history of BWI Airport dates back to 1944 when planning began for a new airport to serve the Baltimore-Washington region. The site near Linthicum Heights, Maryland, was chosen for its proximity to Baltimore and transportation links, including railroad lines and the proposed Baltimore-Washington Parkway. Construction began in 1947, and Friendship Methodist Church, along with several other pieces of land, were acquired to make way for the airport.
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BWI's public transport connections
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) is located in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, about 9 miles (14 km) south of downtown Baltimore. BWI is one of three major airports serving the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area.
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport is easily accessible via various public transportation options, including trains, buses, shuttles, and taxis. Here is a detailed look at BWI's public transport connections:
Train Services:
- Amtrak and MARC Trains: The BWI Rail Station is located on the airport grounds, about a mile from the terminal. Amtrak and MARC trains regularly serve this station, providing connections to destinations such as Union Station in Washington, D.C., and Penn Station in Baltimore. A free shuttle bus service connects the airport terminal and the BWI Rail Station.
- Baltimore Light RailLink: There is a light rail station located next to Concourse E, providing service to downtown Baltimore and other locations.
Bus Services:
- Maryland Transit Administration (MTA): MTA Bus Services provide connections to nearby areas. Route 75 connects the airport to Patapsco Station on Light RailLink and Arundel Mills Mall. Route 201 connects BWI to Shady Grove Station on the Washington Metro.
- BayRunner Shuttle: This locally-owned shuttle service connects Eastern and Western Maryland to BWI, Amtrak, Greyhound, and other transportation hubs. It offers daily round-trip and one-way shuttle services to and from BWI Airport, providing a safe and comfortable ride in premier transport vans.
- BWI Courtesy Shuttles: The airport also offers its own courtesy shuttles, providing connections to various regional destinations, including Annapolis, Baltimore, and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
Taxi Services:
Taxi services are available at BWI, providing an alternative transportation option for passengers arriving at or departing from the airport.
With its range of public transport connections, BWI Airport offers convenient and accessible travel options for passengers travelling to and from the Baltimore-Washington region.
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History of BWI
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (IATA: BWI, ICAO: KBWI, FAA LID: BWI), commonly referred to as BWI Airport, is an international airport in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. It is located 9 miles (14 km) south of downtown Baltimore and 30 miles (50 km) northeast of Washington, D.C. BWI is one of three major airports serving the Washington–Baltimore metropolitan area.
Planning for the airport began in 1944, just before the end of World War II. The Baltimore Aviation Commission selected a site near Linthicum Heights, Maryland, which was a 15-minute drive from downtown Baltimore and offered good visibility and proximity to several railroad lines. The cost of building the airport was initially estimated at $9 million. Much of the land was purchased from Friendship Methodist Church in 1946, and construction began on May 2, 1947. The airport was dedicated on June 24, 1950, by President Harry S. Truman, who arrived by plane from Washington National Airport, accompanied by the Governor of Maryland and the Mayor of Baltimore. The final construction cost was $15 million.
The airport, originally named Friendship International Airport, opened in 1957 and soon began offering commercial flights. In the late 1950s, it briefly served as Washington, D.C.'s jet airport, as jet aircraft could not use Washington National Airport. By 1963, Friendship International Airport was equipped with a 9,450-foot (2,880 m) runway capable of handling any commercial jet aircraft. In 1972, the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) purchased the airport from the City of Baltimore for $36 million, and the Maryland State Aviation Administration took over airfield operations.
On November 16, 1973, the airport was renamed Baltimore/Washington International Airport to attract passengers from the Washington metropolitan area. Modernization efforts began in the 1970s, with improvements to landing capabilities, runway systems, and cargo terminals. In 1979, a modern passenger terminal opened, doubling the airport's capacity. The BWI Rail Station opened in 1980, providing a train link to the Northeast Corridor. In 1980, the International Air Transport Association officially changed the airport's IATA code from BAL to BWI.
In 2005, the airport was renamed Baltimore Washington Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), honouring Thurgood Marshall, a Baltimore native and the first African American to serve as a U.S. Supreme Court justice. BWI has continued to expand and upgrade its facilities, including the addition of new airlines, electric vehicle charging stations, and a COVID-19 testing and vaccination centre.
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Other nearby airports
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (IATA: BWI, ICAO: KBWI, FAA LID: BWI), also known as BWI Airport, is the primary airport serving Baltimore, Maryland. It is located 8.3–9 miles (14 km) south of downtown Baltimore and offers more than 700 daily domestic and international flights to over 75 destinations.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (IATA: DCA, ICAO: KDCA), also known as Reagan Washington or Washington National Airport, is located in Crystal City, Virginia, and is 38.3–44 miles from Baltimore, MD. It is one of the three major airports serving the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area, along with BWI and Dulles International Airport.
Washington Dulles International Airport (IATA: IAD, ICAO: KIAD), located in Dulles, Virginia, is 50.8–61 miles from Baltimore. The airport opened in 1962 and, along with Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, serves the Washington-Baltimore region.
Harrisburg International Airport (IATA: MDT, ICAO: KMDT) is 63.4–83 miles from Baltimore.
Philadelphia International Airport (IATA: PHL, ICAO: KPHL) is located 83–94 miles from Baltimore in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
In addition to these larger airports, there are several smaller airports within a 100-mile radius of Baltimore, including Tipton Airport (20 miles), Martin State Airport (21 miles), Lee Airport (32 miles), and College Park Airport (35 miles).
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BWI's ranking in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (IATA: BWI, ICAO: KBWI, FAA LID: BWI) is an international airport in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States. It is located 9 miles (14 km) south of downtown Baltimore and 30 miles (48-50 km) northeast of Washington, D.C. BWI is one of three major airports serving the Washington–Baltimore metropolitan area. The other two are Dulles International Airport (IAD) in Dulles, Virginia, and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in Crystal City, Virginia.
BWI is the busiest airport in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area. In 2023, it recorded 12,849,636 passenger enplanements, ranking 23rd in the US for passenger enplanements. In the Baltimore/Washington area, it ranked second in 2024, serving 27,059,733 passengers. BWI is also a hub for Southwest Airlines, which has sole occupancy of Concourses A and B.
BWI has been recognised for its convenient transit access, efficiency, and amenities. In 2007, Aviation.com ranked it as one of the "Top 10 Easiest U.S. Airports to Get to". In 2018, Condé Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards ranked it as one of the top 10 best US airports. In 2009, a survey by Airports Council International ranked BWI as the world's top airport in the 15-to-25-million-passenger category. In the same year, J.D. Power and Associates ranked it seventh in medium-sized airports based on customer satisfaction.
BWI offers various amenities and services, including free Wi-Fi, children's play areas, pet relief stations, nursing rooms, charging stations, and assistance for travellers with disabilities. It also has workspaces, conference rooms, and dining and shopping options, including 24-hour choices. The airport provides convenient public transport options to Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, with Amtrak and light rail services. It is well-connected to the surrounding areas through the MTA Light Rail, which connects to downtown Baltimore, and the MARC train, which provides fast and affordable access to both cities.
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Frequently asked questions
The airport in Baltimore, Maryland is called the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. It is also known as BWI Airport.
BWI Airport is located 8.3 miles or 13 miles from downtown Baltimore. It takes approximately 26 minutes to get to the city via tram.
BWI Airport is one of the three major airports serving the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area. In 2023, it recorded 12,849,636 passenger enplanements, making it the busiest airport in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area.
